If Jason Kreis’ hunch is correct, then Real Salt Lake has a budding star in center back Chris Schuler, someone who just might soon work his way onto the U.S. national team if he can stay healthy.

“From the very first year we had him, we felt he had a je ne sais quoi, the personality, the mentality to be a big-game player,” Kreis said Friday via the league’s website. “He’s proven us correct because every time he’s played in the most critical of matches ... he’s given us a tremendous performance. He’s earned the chance to be a week-in, week-out guy.

“If he takes that next step he should be knocking on the door of the national team, in my opinion.”

Schuler, a 25-year-old native of St. Louis, has been limited to only 34 MLS games in three years because of a variety of injury problems. Last season, he got off to a strong start but then had to sit come May because of a stress fracture. He returned in September and then after two starts, he sustained a quadriceps injury.

“I think that I’ve proven myself to an extent over the three years that I’ve been here,” Schuler said Friday. “I’ve always tried to play well, but I’ve only played well in a few games. Now they think it’s something I can maintain.”